Road and freight issues, attracting people to live and stay in the regions and value adding were among key priorities raised at an economic development forum for South Australia's Mid-North and Yorke Peninsula yesterday.

With Papua New Guinea looking at taking the success of this month's Pacific Games to the next level with a bid for Commonwealth Games in 2026, it's clear that sport has become a springboard for an audacious initiative.

The Australian agricultural economist behind a new coconut oil extraction process hopes it can be expanded across Solomon Islands, developing a sustainable industry around the widely-available resource.